Back in the dark days pre-Markus I remember the depression of relegation and mismanagement made me really focus on what I was actually supporting…
The players?
Not really, they come and go, and few actually care about us or have a genuine affection for the club.
There are exceptions, the likes of Rickie, Kelvin and probably Jose of late who have all shared experiences with us, but most are just passing through and do well for themselves as well as us.
What about the board?
No, it was Rupert at the time and the directors’ fees alone on the balance sheet told me where his loyalty lay, he had no relationship with the fans.
The ground?
They knocked down the last one and that was sadder than getting relegated.
So I was just left with the badge and the shirt.
That was it out of the whole club - the only thing I could really say that I cared about was the badge on the shirt, that was the only continuity through the chaos.
Victor will go, sonner or later, he has no loyalty to us.
Thanks Vic, you were good, most of the time - but I’ll miss you as I much as I miss Luke Shaw or Tommy Forecast and it won’t be memories of your goal at Hull that I’ll talk about in old age.
It will be Matt’s last goal at The Dell, or Rickie scoring for England, I’ll remember players who actually loved the club.
I suspect the mighty Kenyan will be just another ship in the night and that’s sad.
It must be great for legends like Matt to know that they have a bunch of people who will always love them.
What of Toby and many others who flit between clubs without generating loyalty?
No one will call them legends, they’ll have no spiritual home at the end of their careers, just a big pile of cash and if they’re really lucky a medal or two.
Good for them, if they like that sort of thing.
Go to United and win five titles, oh yes, that’s legacy.
But go to Spurs and maybe win a League Cup?..
No one will be telling their grandchildren that story.